Dosing of subcooled liquids for high volume flow applications

ABSTRACT

A sub cooled liquid delivery system includes at least one feed tank, at least one pressure building apparatus in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank, at least one weight measurement apparatus for measuring the weight of the at least one feed tank and a liquid present in the at least one feed tank, at least one fill conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for providing the liquid to the at least one feed tank, at least one feed conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for delivering a subcooled liquid to at least one liquid utilizing process, and at least one pressure building conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for increasing the pressure within the at least one feed tank. A method is also included to subcool liquid delivery using the system.

Provided are a subcooled liquid delivery system for and method ofmetering a liquid by weight for delivering an accurate, recordableamount of liquid to processes which utilize the liquid.

Many commercial and industrial refrigeration and freezing systemsutilize liquid refrigerating or cooling agents. In many cases, theliquid refrigerating or cooling agents are liquid cryogens, such asliquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, liquid argon, and refrigerants such asliquid carbon dioxide, etc. To date, no reliable means have beendeveloped to reliably meter such liquids.

Because liquid cryogens are extremely cold, it is nearly impossible tosufficiently insulate a conduit conveying the liquid cryogen to keepsome of the liquid cryogen from evolving or changing phase into gas.Thus, a certain percentage of the volume flowing through the conduitconsists of the gaseous form of the cryogen (resulting in two-phaseflow), which makes accurately metering and recording the flow of thecryogen very difficult. Previously known methods of controlling liquiddelivery include methods based upon volume or mass of liquid flowingthrough a conduit, time of injection, temperature of the products beingcooled, and viscosity of the products being cooled.

Methods of controlling liquid delivery based upon the volume or mass ofliquid flowing through a conduit, such as those methods utilizingvolumetric flow meters or Coriolis mass flow meters, are unable toaccurately measure two-phase flow, may be extremely expensive, and theaccuracy of the measurements obtained cannot be verified duringoperation. Further, turbine flow meters (a type of volumetric or massflow meter) are only able to accurately measure single-phase flow.

Methods of controlling liquid delivery based upon time of injection ofthe cryogen into the utilizing process are vulnerable to the variabilityin flow rate introduced by the presence of the gaseous cryogen. The rateof cryogen injection may be highly variable, resulting in an uncertainamount of cryogen being injected into the utilizing process.

Methods of controlling liquid delivery based on the temperature of theproduct being cooled, such as a food product or a product from anothertype of process, have various vulnerabilities. That is, the temperatureprobes utilized to measure the temperature of the product are difficultto keep clear of product build-up and other debris; “voids” in theproduct being cooled may result in the probe reading the temperature ofthe cryogen rather than the temperature of the product; and accuratetemperature readings may be difficult to obtain. Further, the amount ofliquid utilized to cool the product cannot be accurately recordedwithout additional devices or apparatus, thereby resulting in increasedcost and complexity of the system.

Methods of controlling liquid delivery based on the viscosity of theproducts being cooled rely on sensing the mixer's or the blender's motorpower, and require that the products undergo at least a partial phasechange during the cooling process. Further, the amount of liquidutilized to cool the product cannot be accurately recorded withoutadditional devices or apparatus, thereby resulting in increased cost andcomplexity of the system.

In previously known methods, a margin of error of up to about 50% inmetering cryogenic liquids is possible. This is because the gaseousportion of the fluid may take up considerably more space in the conduitthan the liquid portion of the fluid. At the normal operating pressureof many systems, there may be approximately a 50:1 gas to liquid volumeratio.

For example, if it is desired to provide 1,000 lbs of liquid cryogen toa refrigeration system, as little as 500 lbs, and as much as 1,500 lbs,of liquid cryogen may be delivered to the refrigeration system. Becauserefrigeration/cooling processes typically require a specific amount ofcooling power, it may become necessary to utilize a liquid cryogen whichcontains excess cooling power in order to compensate for receiving up to50% less cryogenic liquid than what is desired.

Further, it is sometimes necessary to provide a liquid cryogen at highpressure in order to ensure that the liquid cryogen is delivered quicklyto a liquid utilizing process, in order to minimize the cooling lossduring transit. In previously known methods, this typically requires ahigh pressure bulk storage tank, which may be costly and inefficient tooperate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the subject matter are disclosed with reference to theaccompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. Thesubject matter is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction or the arrangement of the components illustrated in thedrawings. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components,unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a subcooled liquiddelivery system.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the systemof FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the subcooled liquid delivery systemembodiment of FIG. 1 in operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the subject matter herein utilize weight-basedmeasurement systems to inexpensively and accurately provide cryogenicliquids to processes which utilize said liquids. Further, weight-basedmeasurement systems may be easily calibrated and validated as toaccuracy. Therefore, there is provided a system and a method which canaccurately meter a liquid by weight, and deliver a recordable quantityof liquid to a liquid utilizing process, such as a refrigeration orfreezing process utilizing a liquid cryogen.

In an embodiment, a system and method are provided for metering, byweight, a liquid cooling agent for use in a liquid utilizing process,such as a cooling, refrigerating or freezing process. The method andsystem may be described herein with reference to a subcooled and/orcryogenic liquid, but it will be understood that the system and methodmay be used to meter, supply and/or dose, by weight, any liquid fordelivery to any liquid utilizing process.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a system 100 comprises at least one feedtank 102 in fluid communication, via at least one feed conduit 108, withat least one liquid utilizing process (not shown) and, optionally, atleast one pressurized bulk storage tank (not shown), via at least onefill conduit 110. The term “feed tank” indicates that the feed tank 102supplies or “feeds” the liquid to the at least one liquid utilizingprocess (not shown), and it should be recognized that the feed tanks 102are separate and distinct from the optional pressurized bulk storagetank (not shown) which, when present, supplies liquid to the feed tank102. Pressurized liquid may be flashed at from about 0 psi to about 1psi or some other pressure below the pressure of the optional at leastone pressurized bulk storage tank into the at least one feed tank 102from a pressurized liquid source, such as a pressurized bulk storagetank, via the at least one fill conduit 110. Once flashed in the feedtank 102, the liquid remaining in the feed tank 102 is at a minimumtemperature. For example, the liquid may be liquid nitrogen which, uponflashing at from about 0 psi to about 1 psi, will produce liquidnitrogen at about −320° F. (−196° C.).

The at least one feed tank 102 is also in fluid communication with atleast one pressure building apparatus 104 via at least one pressurebuilding conduit 112. The pressure building apparatus 104 may compriseat least one pressure building tank 126 or any other suitable apparatuscapable of providing high pressure to the at least one feed tank 102, inconjunction with at least one pressure regulating valve 128 and at leastone pressure shut-off valve 130. The pressure building tank 126 may alsobe in fluid communication with a heat exchanger 132 which is in fluidcommunication with the at least one fill conduit 110, such that liquidin the fill conduit 110 may be partially directed through the heatexchanger 132, where the liquid will be converted to a gas. The heatexchanger 132 may be a conduit or may comprise a conventional heatexchanger, such as a shell and tube heat exchanger. The gas may beutilized to increase the pressure within the at least one pressurebuilding tank 126. Alternatively, or in addition, and referring also toFIG. 1A, the at least one pressure building apparatus 104 may comprise alow pressure gas tank 125, low pressure valves 131, a high pressure gastank 127, pressure shut-off valves 131 and a compressor 105. Thepressure building apparatus 104 may be capable of pressurizing the feedtank 102 to pressures up to about 500 psi.

While FIG. 1 depicts two feed tanks 102 and two pressure building tanks126, the system 100 may function with only one feed tank 102 and onepressure building tank 126. The system 100 may also function with morethan two feed tanks 102 and more than two pressure building tanks 126.

The at least one feed tank 102 is engaged, directly or indirectly, withat least one weight measurement apparatus 106, such as a load cell, astrain gauge, a force sensor or the like, in such a manner that theweight measurement apparatus 106 is able to continuously, or at leastperiodically, determine the weight of the feed tank 102, as continuousoperation of the weight measurement apparatus 106 is not required. Bymeasuring the weight of the feed tank 102, the weight of any liquidpresent in the at least one feed tank 102 may be calculated, such as bysubtracting the tare weight of the feed tank 102 and any associatedcomponents from the total weight measured by the weight measurementapparatus 106. Thus, the system is capable of providing an accurate,recordable weight of liquid to at least one liquid utilizing processwhile substantially reducing, or perhaps eliminating, problemsassociated with the previously known liquid supply systems discussedabove.

The at least one feed tank 102 may also be engaged with at least one gasconduit 114 for recycling, reusing and/or exhausting either or both of:(i) the gas utilized to pressurize the feed tank 102; and (ii) the gaswhich is evolved or changes phase upon injection and flashing of theliquid into the feed tank 102. The at least one gas conduit 114 may bein fluid communication with at least one apparatus which will utilizethe gas, such as the pressure building apparatus 104. The gas may, forexample, also or alternatively be used to clean injection nozzles whichmay be present in the system or to provide actuation of pneumaticcontrols (not shown) which may be present in the system. It may also bedesirable to reliquefy the gas through a subcooling gas loop (not shown)in the bottom of at least one feed tank 102. The gas conduit 114 may beassociated with a flow meter 136 for measuring the flow of gas leavingthe at least one feed tank 102.

The fill conduit 110 may be associated with a master fill valve 116 andat least one dedicated fill valve 118. The at least one feed conduit 108may be associated with a master feed valve 120 and at least onededicated feed valve 122. The gas conduit 114 may be associated with amaster gas valve 132 and at least one dedicated gas valve 134. One ofeach of the at least one dedicated fill valve 118, the at least onededicated feed valve 122 and the at least one dedicated gas valve 134may be associated with one of the at least one feed tanks 102, as shownin FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments, the system 100 may include at least one liquidlevel measurement device 124 for measuring or otherwise determining alevel of liquid present in the at least one feed tank 102, such as forsafety purposes. The measurement device 124 may be utilized toperiodically or continuously measure or otherwise determine the level ofliquid present in the at least one feed tank 102, such as while the atleast one feed tank 102 is being filled.

FIG. 2 depicts the system 100 of FIG. 1 in operation. A first feed tank102 is associated with a dedicated fill valve 118, a pressure shut-offvalve 130, a dedicated feed valve 122 and a dedicated gas valve 134. Asecond feed tank 102 a is associated with a dedicated fill valve 118 a,a pressure shut-off valve 130 a, a dedicated feed valve 122 a and adedicated gas valve 134 a.

Master fill valve 116 and dedicated fill valve 118 are in the openposition, while dedicated fill valve 118 a is in the closed position,allowing liquid to pass into feed tank 102 where the liquid is flashedupon injection. While feed tank 102 is being filled, dedicated feedvalve 122 is in the closed position to allow feed tank 102 to fill.Pressure shut-off valve 130 is also in the closed position, as it maynot be desirable to pressurize feed tank 102 while it is being filled.Further, dedicated gas valve 134 is in the open position so that the gasresulting from flashing the liquid upon injection into feed tank 102 mayleave feed tank 102 such that it will not increase the pressure in feedtank 102, which might result in an undesirable increase in thetemperature of the liquid in feed tank 102. Master gas valve 132 is alsoin the open position such that gas from feed tank 102 may be utilized bythe pressure building apparatus 104 or other processes which may utilizethe gas (not shown).

Feed tank 102 a has already been filled and contains a desired weight ofliquid, as measured by the at least one weight measurement apparatus106. Thus, dedicated fill valve 118 a is in the closed position so thatno more liquid may enter feed tank 102 a. Pressure shut-off valve 130 ais in the open position so that pressure may be introduced into feedtank 102 a by pressure building apparatus 104, which will result in theliquid in feed tank 102 a being forced out of feed tank 102 a throughdedicated feed valve 122 a, which is in the open position. Master feedvalve 120 is also in the open position, allowing liquid from feed tank102 a to be sent to at least one liquid utilizing process (not shown).Dedicated gas valve 134 a is in the closed position such that the gasbeing injected into feed tank 102 a by the pressure building apparatus104 will cause an increase in pressure in feed tank 102 a.

In certain embodiments, the pressure shut-off valve 130 a is only movedto the open position shortly prior to draining the liquid from feed tank102 a, such that the liquid in feed tank 102 a is pressurized for a veryshort period of time. The liquid in tank 102 a thus becomes subcooled,as it does not have a chance to reach equilibrium prior to beingdelivered to the at least one liquid utilizing process. The temperatureof the liquid will therefore only increase negligibly and only a smallamount of gas will evolve from the liquid. In certain embodiments, thesystem 100 may be in close proximity to the at least one liquidutilizing process in order to ensure that the liquid remains subcooledthroughout the delivery process.

In certain embodiments, the system 100 may be utilized to continuouslysupply liquid to at least one liquid utilizing process. While tank 102 ais supplying liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process, tank102 is being filled. After tank 102 a is drained, the dedicated valveswill switch to positions opposite those shown in FIG. 2 such that tank102, having been filled, will provide liquid to the at least one liquidutilizing process. Tank 102 a may then be refilled.

A plurality of tanks 102,102 a for example may be used in order toensure a continuous supply of liquid, although a continuous supply ofliquid is not necessary for operation of the system 100. Further, liquidmay be supplied at various pressures to various liquid utilizingprocesses by altering the pressure provided by the pressure buildingapparatus 104 while a feed tank 102 is supplying liquid to a liquidutilizing process. For example, a high pressure liquid cooling agent maybe provided to a cooling system, and a low pressure liquid cooling agentmay be supplied to a freezing system.

Also, because the at least one feed tank 102 (or 102 a) is beingpressurized after it is filled, for example from a pressurized bulkstorage tank, it is not necessary to utilize a high pressure bulkstorage tank as in the previously known liquid supply systems. Arelatively low pressure bulk storage tank, such as from about 25 psi toabout 75 psi, may be desirable, because lower pressure liquid involves asmaller change in temperature when it is flashed into the at least onefeed tank 102. This results in an increased efficiency because a greaterproportion of liquid to gas is transferred to the feed tank than if theliquid being flashed into the at least one feed tank 102 was at a higherpressure.

For example, a liquid nitrogen-utilizing process may require pressuresof up to about 475 psi. Using the present system, it is only necessaryto pressurize the at least one feed tank 102 supplying liquid nitrogento the liquid utilizing process to 475 psi, whereas in using thepreviously known liquid supply systems, it may be necessary to utilize abulk storage tank which is kept at about 475 psi, or to utilize othercomplicated means of increasing the pressure of a liquid provided from abulk storage tank, which may drastically affect the efficiency of theliquid utilizing process. Because the present system can more easilyutilize high pressure liquid delivery, it also becomes possible to usesmaller conduits and valves, because the liquid will be moving at highervelocity through the conduits. Further, if a liquid nitrogen pressurizedbulk storage tank was kept at about 475 psi, it would be necessary toreduce the pressure prior to delivering the liquid to liquid utilizingprocesses which require lower pressures, resulting in further increasedequipment costs and possibly reducing the efficiency of the process.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the system 100 may be controlled by amicroprocessor (not shown) which may be capable of accepting data fromthe at least one weight measurement apparatus 106, at least one pressuregauge (not shown) associated with the at least one feed tank 102 and/orthe pressure building apparatus 104, and the at least one liquid levelmeasurement device 124. The microprocessor may then calculate the weightof liquid present in the at least one feed tank 102 and control deliveryof the liquid from the at least one feed tank 102 to at least one liquidutilizing process by actuating the various valves present in the system100. The microprocessor may also be capable of recording the amount ofliquid provided to the at least one liquid utilizing process.

A first embodiment of the present subject matter includes a subcooledliquid delivery system comprising: at least one feed tank; at least onepressure building apparatus in fluid communication with the at least onefeed tank; at least one weight measurement apparatus for measuring theweight of the at least one feed tank and a liquid present in the atleast one feed tank; at least one fill conduit in fluid communicationwith the at least one feed tank for providing the liquid to the at leastone feed tank; at least one feed conduit in fluid communication with theat least one feed tank for delivering a subcooled liquid to at least oneliquid utilizing process; and at least one pressure building conduit influid communication with the at least one feed tank for increasing thepressure within the at least one feed tank.

The system of the first embodiment may further comprise at least one gasconduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank forproviding gas from the at least one feed tank to at least one of thepressure building apparatus or at least one other process.

The system of either or both of the first or subsequent embodimentsdescribed above may further comprise a master fill valve and at leastone dedicated fill valve associated with the at least one fill conduit,and a master feed valve and at least one dedicated feed valve associatedwith the at least one feed conduit, wherein each of the at least onefeed tanks is operatively associated with one of the at least onededicated fill valve and one of the at least one dedicated feed valve.The system may further comprise a microprocessor control device capableof (i) accepting data from (a) the at least one weight measurementapparatus, (b) at least one pressure gauge associated with the at leastone feed tank, and optionally (c) a liquid level measurement device influid communication with the at least one feed tank; (ii) calculatingthe weight of liquid present in the at least one feed tank; and (iii)controlling delivery of the subcooled liquid to the at least one liquidutilizing process by manipulating or adjusting the master fill valve,the at least one dedicated fill valve the master feed valve, and/or theat least one dedicated feed valve.

The system of any of the first or subsequent embodiments described abovemay further include that the pressure building apparatus comprises atleast one pressure building tank which is in fluid communication withthe feed tank via the at least one pressure building conduit, at leastone pressure regulating valve operatively engaged with the at least onepressure building conduit, and at least one shut-off valve operativelyengaged with the at least one pressure building conduit. The system mayfurther include that the pressure building apparatus further comprisesan ambient heat exchanger in fluid communication with the at least onefill conduit and the at least one pressure building tank, such thatliquid is provided from the at least one fill conduit, vaporized into agas in the ambient heat exchanger, and utilized to increase the pressurewithin the at least one pressure building tank.

The system of any of the first or subsequent embodiments described abovemay further include that the pressure building apparatus comprises acompressor.

The system of any of the first or subsequent embodiments described abovemay further include that the at least one weight measurement apparatuscomprises a load cell, a strain gauge or a force sensor.

The system of any of the first or subsequent embodiments described abovemay further comprise a pressurized storage tank that is in controlledfluid communication with the at least one feed tank via one of the atleast one fill conduits for providing liquid to the at least one feedtank.

The system of any of the first or subsequent embodiments described abovemay further include that the liquid comprises a cryogen, optionallynitrogen.

A second embodiment of the present subject matter includes a method ofproviding a subcooled liquid to at least one liquid utilizing processcomprising: (a) providing at least two feed tanks, including a firstfeed tank and a second feed tank; (b) at least partially filling thefirst feed tank concurrently or sequentially with the filling of anotherof the at least two feed tanks; (c) calculating the weight of liquidpresent in the first feed tank; (d) increasing the pressure in the firstfeed tank by utilizing at least one pressure building apparatus,converting the liquid in the first feed tank into a subcooled liquid;(e) providing a desired amount, by weight, of the subcooled liquid inthe first feed tank to the at least one liquid utilizing process, thesubcooled liquid being forced out of the first feed tank as a result ofthe increased pressure in the first feed tank; (f) repeating (b)-(e);(g) at least partially filling the second feed tank concurrently orsequentially with the filling of another of the at least two feed tanks;(h) calculating the weight of liquid present in the second feed tank;(i) increasing the pressure in the second feed tank by utilizing the atleast one pressure building apparatus, converting the liquid in thesecond feed tank into a subcooled liquid; (j) providing a desiredamount, by weight, of the subcooled liquid in the second feed tank tothe at least one liquid utilizing process, the subcooled liquid beingforced out of the second feed tank as a result of the increased pressurein the second feed tank; and (k) repeating (g)-(j); wherein subcooledliquid is substantially continuously available to the at least oneliquid utilizing process by filling at least one of the at least twofeed tanks while another of the at least two feed tanks is capable ofproviding subcooled liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process.

The method of the second embodiment may further comprise utilizingadditional feed tanks in the same manner as the first feed tank and thesecond feed tank to provide subcooled liquid to the at least one liquidutilizing process.

The method of either or both of the second or subsequent embodimentsdescribed above may further comprise providing gas present in the atleast one feed tank to at least one of the pressure building apparatusor at least one other process.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments describedabove may further comprise measuring the level of liquid in at least oneof the at least two feed tanks during filling of the at least two feedtanks.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments describedabove may further include that said calculating the weight of the liquidin the first feed tank and/or the second feed tanks is enabled by atleast one weight measurement device, the at least one weight measurementdevice comprising a load cell, a strain gauge or a force sensor.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments describedabove may further include that said increasing the pressure in the firstfeed tank and/or the second feed tank comprises utilizing at least onepressure building tank to inject a gas into the first feed tank and/orthe second feed tank, wherein the at least one pressure building tank isin fluid communication with the first feed tank and/or the second feedtank via at least one pressure building conduit.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments describedabove may further comprise providing a gas to the at least one pressurebuilding tank to increase the pressure within the at least one pressurebuilding tank.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments describedabove may further include that said increasing the pressure in the firstfeed tank and/or the second feed tank comprises utilizing a compressorto inject a gas into the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments describedabove may further include that the liquid for said at least partiallyfilling any of the at least two feed tanks is provided from apressurized bulk storage tank.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments describedabove may further include that the liquid comprises a cryogen,optionally nitrogen.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merelyexemplary, and that one skilled in the art may make variations andmodifications without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. All such variations and modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the invention as described hereinabove andclaimed. Further, all embodiments disclosed are not necessarily in thealternative, as various embodiments may be combined to provide thedesired result.

1. A subcooled liquid delivery system, comprising: at least one feedtank; at least one pressure building apparatus in fluid communicationwith the at least one feed tank; at least one weight measurementapparatus for measuring the weight of the at least one feed tank and aliquid present in the at least one feed tank; at least one fill conduitin fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for providing theliquid to the at least one feed tank; at least one feed conduit in fluidcommunication with the at least one feed tank for delivering a subcooledliquid to at least one liquid utilizing process; and at least onepressure building conduit in fluid communication with the at least onefeed tank for increasing the pressure within the at least one feed tank.2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one gas conduit influid communication with the at least one feed tank for providing gasfrom the at least one feed tank to at least one of the pressure buildingapparatus or at least one other process.
 3. The system of claim 1,further comprising a master fill valve and at least one dedicated fillvalve associated with the at least one fill conduit, and a master feedvalve and at least one dedicated feed valve associated with the at leastone feed conduit, wherein each one of the at least one feed tank isoperatively associated with one of the at least one dedicated fill valveand one of the at least one dedicated feed valve.
 4. The system of claim3, further comprising a microprocessor control device capable of: (i)accepting data from (a) the at least one weight measurement apparatus,(b) at least one pressure gauge associated with the at least one feedtank, and optionally (c) a liquid level measurement device in fluidcommunication with the at least one feed tank; (ii) calculating theweight of liquid present in the at least one feed tank; and (iii)controlling delivery of the subcooled liquid to the at least one liquidutilizing process by adjusting the master fill valve, the at least onededicated fill valve, the master feed valve and/or the at least onededicated feed valve.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressurebuilding apparatus comprises at least one pressure building tank whichis in fluid communication with the feed tank via the at least onepressure building conduit, at least one pressure regulating valveoperatively engaged with the at least one pressure building conduit, andat least one shut-off valve operatively engaged with the at least onepressure building conduit.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein thepressure building apparatus further comprises an ambient heat exchangerin fluid communication with the at least one fill conduit and the atleast one pressure building tank, such that liquid is provided from theat least one fill conduit, vaporized into a gas in the ambient heatexchanger, and utilized to increase the pressure within the at least onepressure building tank.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at leastone pressure building apparatus comprises a compressor.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one weight measurement apparatus comprisesa load cell, a strain gauge or a force sensor.
 9. The system of claim 1,further comprising a pressurized storage tank that is in fluidcommunication with the at least one feed tank via one of the at leastone fill conduits for providing liquid to the at least one feed tank.10. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a cryogen,optionally nitrogen.
 11. A method of providing a subcooled liquid to atleast one liquid utilizing process, comprising: (a) providing at leasttwo feed tanks, including a first feed tank and a second feed tank; (b)at least partially filling the first feed tank concurrently orsequentially with the filling of another of the at least two feed tanks;(c) calculating the weight of liquid in the first feed tank; (d)increasing the pressure in the first feed tank by utilizing at least onepressure building apparatus, converting the liquid in the first feedtank into a subcooled liquid; (e) providing a desired amount, by weight,of the subcooled liquid in the first feed tank to the at least oneliquid utilizing process, the subcooled liquid being forced out of thefirst feed tank as a result of the increased pressure in the first feedtank; (f) repeating (b)-(e); (g) at least partially filling the secondfeed tank concurrently or sequentially with the filling of another ofthe at least two feed tanks; (h) calculating the weight of liquidpresent in the second feed tank; (i) increasing the pressure in thesecond feed tank by utilizing the at least one pressure buildingapparatus, converting the liquid in the second feed tank into asubcooled liquid; (j) providing a desired amount, by weight, of thesubcooled liquid in the second feed tank to the at least one liquidutilizing process, the subcooled liquid being forced out of the secondfeed tank as a result of the increased pressure in the second feed tank;and (k) repeating (g)-(j); wherein subcooled liquid is substantiallycontinuously available to the at least one liquid utilizing process byfilling at least one of the at least two feed tanks while another of theat least two feed tanks is capable of providing subcooled liquid to theat least one liquid utilizing process.
 12. The method of claim 11,further comprising utilizing additional feed tanks in a similar way asthe first feed tank and the second feed tank are utilized to providesubcooled liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising providing gas present in the atleast one feed tank to at least one of the pressure building apparatusor at least one other process.
 14. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising measuring the level of liquid in at least one of the at leasttwo feed tanks during filling of the at least two feed tanks.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, wherein said calculating the weight of the liquid inthe first feed tank and/or the second feed tanks is by at least oneweight measurement device, the at least one weight measurement devicecomprising a load cell, a strain gauge or a force sensor.
 16. The methodof claim 11, wherein said increasing the pressure in the first feed tankand/or the second feed tank comprises utilizing at least one pressurebuilding tank to inject a gas into the first feed tank and/or the secondfeed tank, wherein the at least one pressure building tank is in fluidcommunication with the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank viaat least one pressure building conduit.
 17. The method of claim 11,further comprising providing a gas to the at least one pressure buildingtank to increase the pressure within the at least one pressure buildingtank.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein said increasing the pressurein the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank comprises utilizing acompressor to inject a gas into the first feed tank and/or the secondfeed tank.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the liquid for said atleast partially filling any of the at least two feed tanks is providedfrom a pressurized bulk storage tank.
 20. The method of claim 11,wherein the liquid comprises a cryogen, optionally nitrogen.